Destination: Chiang Mai/Pai/Mae Hong Son/Chiang Rai

This fantastic seven-day trip is packed with great attractions of the north. Starting the tour with a visit to the Old City of Thailand, discover true serenity in the beautiful city of Chiang Mai,Thailand. Climb up to the Buddhist temples at Doi Suthep and enjoy the beauty of the hills surrounding Chiang Mai. Driving to Mae Hong Son which is hidden deep in a valley ringed by misty mountain ranges whose panoramas have inspired the name “City of the Three Mists”. End the trip at the quieter neighbor of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is a land of outstanding natural beauty, where visitors looking to avoid the hordes can visit remote hill tribes, spot exotic wildlife, and check out the golden triangle, the former center of the world’s opium trade.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide

Day 1: Bangkok arrival/Chiang Mai (G)

On arrival at Suvanphumi Airport, you will board another flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport by our guide and then driven to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Chiang Mai most sacred temples, drive around the Old City to see city’s moats and ruined city’s walls. Start the temple tours with Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple and probably dates from 1296. The temple was residence of King Mengrai, who founded Chiang Mai. Continue this tour with visit Wat Phra Singh; the temple contains marvelous examples of Lanna art including a Lanna style viharn. Then drive on to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, This temple was built in 1383. It is located 15 kms from the city and 3,500 feet above sea level. See the marvelous golden pagoda, which is containing the holy relics of Lord Buddha. You can enjoy the panoramic view of Chiang Mai City and Ping valley from the summit of Doi Suthep. You will spend the night in Chiang Mai.

Day 2: Chiang Mai/Mae Taeng/Pai (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up and driven to visit the Jungle Raft Elephant Camp in Mae Taeng to see the elephant shows. After that, you will enjoy an exciting ride on the elephants crossing the river and up the hill. Then you will return by oxcart to the camp where buffet lunch will be served. Rafting adventure starts from here and last for 45 minutes along the river. On wards to the Orchid Farm, here there are many beautiful of 500 species of orchids.

Continue drive to Pai, a tiny town halfway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son with some steep and winding roads through the mountains with various stops on the way, such as Mok Fha Waterfall, Pong Dued hot spring where the steam from the spring permeates the site in the morning creating fascinating sights. The area is also rich in teak woods. Arrive to Pai in late afternoon. You will spend the night in Pai.

Day 3: Pai/Mae Hong Son (B, L, G)

After breakfast,  you’ll drive on to visit Lod Cave where a huge cave system is once a dwelling place of pre-historic man. Experience with taking the Bamboo raft into the cave; explore the 1 kilometer-long cave along which can be found beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Also discovered are 2,000 year old remains of utensils and coffins. Then continue to visit Fish Cave, a special feature is the hollow cave filled with numerous freshwater fish, which is of the same family as the carp. The fish are quite safe from being caught as they are believed to belong to the gods.

On arrival, you’ll visit Wat Doi Klong Moo located on a hill to the west of town. There are two Burmese-style Chedis. The larger one was built in 1860 while the smaller one was erected in 1874. A panoramic view of Mae Hong Son can be enjoyed from the site. Continue to Wat Jong Klang and Wat Jong Kum, magnificent Burmese style temples; there are several interesting items such as wooden figurines of human and animals depicted which means one of odd stories of former incarnations of the Buddha created by Burmese craftsmen. Transfer to the hotel in late afternoon. You will spend the night in Mae Hong Son.

Day 4: Mae Hong Son/Chiang Mai (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a boat trip along Pai River to visit the world famous Long Neck Karen Village where the Padaung women still following the old-age culture traditions of wearing numerous brass rings around their long, slender necks. This distorts the growth of their collarbones and makes them look as if they have long necks – which they don’t. This row of brass rings does not actually stretch their necks but in fact squash the vertebrae and collar bones. A woman generally has about twenty or more rings around her neck. This neck ring adornment is started when the girls are 5 or 6 years old.

In the afternoon, you’ll return back to Chiang Mai by road with your guide & driver for 4 hours. You will spend the night in Chiang Mai.

Day 5: Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai (B, G)

After breakfast, our guide and driver arrive to the airport where you will take a morning flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transfered to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you’ll drive up to the highest mountain peak on the Thai/Burma border; Doi Tung, 2,000 meters above sea level. In the past, shifting slash-and-burn cultivation destroyed the forest around Doi Tung area. Until 1987 when the Doi Tung Development Project was established in accordance to the King’s Mother initiative. Then visit to Mae Fah Luang Garden and Doi Tung Royal villa. You will spend the night in Chiang Rai.

Day 6: Chiang Rai/Chiang Saen/Golden Triangle (B, L, G)

Breakfast at the hotel. You will drive to Mae Chan to visit Akha hill tribe villages; explore the villages that are very simple, unique costumes, their own tradition and dialect. The trip continues to visit archeological remains at Chiang Saen city, the first capital city of the northern Thailand.

In the afternoon, you will visit the world famous Golden Triangle where the borders of three countries (Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar) are met. Enjoy the panoramic view of Mekong River and Hall of Opium and Boat Trip along the Mae Khong River, made a stop at Don Sao Village, Laos. Then continue to Mae Sai town, the Thailand-Myanmar border and the northernmost point of Thailand. Enjoy shopping the Myanmar products at the local market. You will return to your hotel in late afternoon. You will spend the night in Chiang Rai.

Day 7: Chiang Rai/Bangkok Departure (B, G)

Your time will be your own until our guide and driver arrive to take you to Chiang Mai airport where you will board the flight to Bangkok to connect with your international departure flight.